In this Student Academy Award-Winner, a robot in a clockwork land has a struggle with his malfunctioning leg that teaches him, as well as others in his world, that sometimes what makes you different can make you better.

A young Aboriginal boy, Gamarrang, spends his life searching for the spirits of his male ancestors- his father and grandfather, who died before he was born- so that he can feel complete. He needs to know who these men are before he can know who he is. He asks all the animals and finally, as an old man, he finds out who is carrying the spirit of his father and grandfather. Gamarrang finally discovers their spirits in the brolgas that have always been living around him.The Aboriginal people believe there was a time where supernatural beings roamed the world. These beings traveled across the land with their songs, ceremonies, stories and beliefs and eventually they changed into the kangaroo, the snake, and the emu who walk the earth today. Through vibrant animation this story of "dreaming-body" is brought to life.Brolga Song is part of Dust Echoes, a series of 12 animated dreamtime stories from Central Arnhem Land, telling tales of love, loyalty, duty to country, and Aboriginal custom and law.abc.net.au/dustechoes

The yarn game cat's cradle becomes a template for the connection between the young and old. In a black and white world yarn is passed from one hand to the other and colors are shared in this sweet animated film.

The Brazilian lullaby Dorme is brought to life. In this magical journey we enter the world of dreams- the mystical place our spirits go to play when our bodies sleep at night. It's a universal story told without words: a boy is lulled to sleep by a captivating melody and his adventure of transformation and discovery begins.

When an old Aboriginal songman feels neglected by his family, he leaves and wanders to a lake. Beneath the waters of the lake live several mermaids. They hear the old man's song and fall in love with it. The old man loves them also. After a few days, the old man realizes how much his absence is mourned by his family. He returns home, his spirit renewed, and is welcomed with open arms.

Mermaid Story is part of Dust Echoes, a series of 12 animated dreamtime stories from Central Arnhem Land, telling tales of love, loyalty, duty to country, and Aboriginal custom and law.

Papiroflexia (Spanish for "Origami") is the animated tale of Fred, a skillful paper folder who shapes the world with his hands. Originally created as a poem by the director, it was turned into a short animated film created in the UCLA Animation Workshop.

A young man on a mystical journey discovers that the world really isn't such a gloomy place- perhaps it's all in how we look at it. Made by Ashland resident and AIFF alum student filmmaker Nisha Burton of Ashland High School.

A heartbroken musician blows a note on his trumpet that, to the neighbors' surprise, allows them to set aside their troubles for a spontaneous celebration. Made by local and AIFF Alum filmmakers John Cole and Laney D'Aquino.

Utilizing several different animation styles, the young and the old answer the question: "What do you want to be when you grow up?" In this charming animated film the boundless ambition of youthful expectations are juxtaposed with the unpredictable, and sometimes tragic realities we end up living. We hear the words of children and seniors artfully illustrated by a team of 12 illustrators from Thailand, Holland, Canada and throughout the U.S.